Rebels Seize Hama in Major Blow to Assad’s Regime

Syrian rebels have captured the strategic city of Hama after government forces withdrew, marking a significant setback for President Bashar al-Assad. This rapid advance, following the recent takeover of Aleppo, shifts the front lines in Syria’s prolonged civil war. Analysts attribute the success to the declining support for Assad from key allies like Russia and Iran, who are preoccupied with their own crises. The rebel coalition, including Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and Turkey-backed factions, capitalized on the chaos within Assad’s military.